The Royal Wedding

Harry & Meghan: From blind date to ‘I do’

Since Prince Harry first confirmed that he was dating American actress Meghan Markle, the couple’s every move has been documented and scrutinized.

With the ceremony now over, CNN looks at what we know about their relationship, from a first date in London to their wedding at Windsor Castle, just a few miles down the road.

2016

Charlie Joe/Getty Images/Moment RF

Early July 2016

First date

Harry and Meghan go on a blind date in London after being set up by a mutual friend (as revealed by the couple in a post-engagement interview). The first date is quickly followed by a second the next day.

Jason Edwards/Getty Images/National Geographic Creative

Late July or August 2016

Trip to Africa

Meghan visits Harry and camps out with him for several days during his trip to Botswana. The media and public are unaware of their burgeoning relationship.

October 2016

First news reports

November 8, 2016

‘Wave of abuse’

Harry warns the media against harassing his girlfriend in a strong statement issued by Kensington Palace. Meghan has been "subject to a wave of abuse and harassment," the statement says, and Harry is "worried about (her) safety."

September 25, 2017

First major appearance

Harry and Meghan make their first major public appearance as a couple at the Invictus Games in Toronto. Pictures of the pair looking happy and relaxed are soon splashed across websites and front pages around the world.

Karwai Tang/WireImage

Early November 2017

The prince pops the question

The couple get engaged after the prince proposes during a "cosy night" in at their home in Nottingham Cottage, London – but they keep the news a secret.

Chris Jackson//Getty Images

November 27, 2017

‘We’re engaged’

The engagement is announced via Twitter. Harry and Meghan make a public appearance in the grounds of Kensington Palace before recording an interview broadcast on BBC TV in the evening. Harry reveals he fell in love with Meghan "incredibly quickly."

Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

December 1, 2017

First walkabout

For their first official public engagement, the couple travel to the city of Nottingham -- somewhere Harry has spent a lot of time since first meeting with young people there in 2013 to explore issues around youth violence. Crowds of well-wishers turn out in the freezing cold to congratulate the newly-engaged couple.

Alexi Lubomirski via Getty Images

December 21, 2017

Official photos

Kensington Palace releases the official engagement photos, followed by a candid picture taken during the shoot -- a "way to say thank you" for the "warm and generous messages" Harry and Meghan have received, the Palace says.

ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images

December 25, 2017

A right royal Christmas

Meghan joins Harry and the rest of the royal family, including Queen Elizabeth, for Christmas Day celebrations at the Queen's country estate in Norfolk.

2018

Dominic Lipinski - WPA Pool/Getty Images

January 9, 2018

Trip to south London

The couple visit a community radio station in Brixton, south London, for their second official engagement together. Harry masters an elaborate handshake and Meghan is praised for her modest choice of jumper -- a £45 ($63) sweater from high street store Marks & Spencer.

Chris Jackson/Getty Images

January 18, 2018

A Welsh welcome

The next stop on their UK tour is Cardiff, the capital city of Wales. They are welcomed by crowds of patient fans lining the streets outside the castle after train delays hold up the couple's arrival.

Ben Stansall - WPA Pool/Getty Images

February 1, 2018

Awards night

Harry and Meghan attend an Endeavour Fund awards night in London celebrating the achievements of injured servicemen and women. The charity is a project of the Royal Foundation, the organization set up by Harry and his brother William.

Karwai Tang/WireImage

February 13, 2018

Visit to Scotland

They take a trip to Scotland's capital, Edinburgh, visiting a social enterprise café and meeting crowds at the city's castle. Harry and Meghan (wearing ear protection) witness the daily firing of the One o'clock Gun from the top of the castle -- a tradition dating back more than 150 years.

Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty Images

February 28, 2018

First ‘Fab Four’ appearance

Harry and Meghan speak at a Royal Foundation event alongside the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the first time the so-called "Fab Four" have appeared together in public. Meghan promises to "hit the ground running" in her work to empower girls and women in the UK.

Karwai Tang/WireImage

March 8, 2018

Getting girls into science

On a trip to the city of Birmingham, the couple attend an event encouraging girls to pursue careers in science and technology to celebrate International Women's Day.

Karwai Tang/WireImage

March 12, 2018

Outing with the Queen

Meghan and Harry attend a Commonwealth Day service in Westminster Abbey alongside other members of the royal family including Queen Elizabeth.

Samir Hussein/WireImage

March 23, 2018

A Titanic tour

The couple visit Belfast, Northern Ireland, the final stop on their tour of UK capital cities. They attend an event celebrating a youth-led, peace-building initiative launched by Harry last year and visit the city's famous Titanic exhibition.

KIRSTY WIGGLESWORTH/AFP/Getty Images

April 6, 2018

Invictus trials

Harry and Meghan take a trip to the city of Bath for the UK team trials for the 2018 Invictus Games in Sydney. They watch as wounded or sick members of the armed services compete for places in sitting volleyball and in track and field events.

Yui Mok - WPA Pool/Getty Images

April 18, 2018

Youth Forum visit

During a gathering of Commonwealth heads of government in London, the couple meet young leaders from across the region. In a speech, Harry says he is excited about his new role as Commonwealth Youth Ambassador – and about Meghan’s role alongside him.

Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty Images

April 19, 2018

Supporting girls’ education

Harry and Meghan attend a Women’s Empowerment reception hosted by UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson. The evening also marks the start of a campaign to support girls’ education across the Commonwealth.

ANDREW PARSONS/AFP/Getty Images

April 21, 2018

Concert for the Queen

In a packed schedule, the couple attend a reception celebrating the upcoming Invictus Games (and are given their very own “Invictus Sydney” jackets) before going to a concert at the Royal Albert Hall to mark the Queen’s 92nd birthday. Live performers include Kylie Minogue, Sting and Shaggy.

David Parker-WPA Pool/Getty Images

April 23, 2018

Memorial service

Harry and Meghan are guests at the memorial service of Stephen Lawrence, a black teenager killed in a racist attack in London in 1993. The killing shook Britain and led to accusations of “institutional racism” in London’s Metropolitan Police Service. The royal couple took up their seats alongside UK Prime Minister Theresa May.

Toby Melville - WPA Pool/Getty Images

April 25, 2018

Say it with a poppy

The couple pay their respects to Australian and New Zealand servicemen and women at a dawn ceremony in London -- and again later at a service in Westminster Abbey. Both wear red paper poppies, used as a symbol of remembrance in the UK since World War One.

VICTORIA JONES/AFP/Getty Images

May 13, 2018

The Queen consents

Buckingham Palace releases an image of the hand-written document officially recording the Queen’s consent to the wedding and signed by the monarch herself. It’s written on vellum -- a kind of parchment originally made from calf skin -- and decorated with flowers symbolizing the two home nations of the bride and groom.

Jeff Rayner/Coleman-Rayner.com

May 14, 2018

Last-minute drama

Just days before the wedding, family drama threatens to derail the couple’s plans. Meghan’s father Thomas Markle reportedly admits staging photos of himself with a paparazzo and tells TMZ he is having heart surgery, putting his attendance in doubt. Kensington Palace asks the media to show “understanding and respect” towards Thomas Markle “in this difficult situation.”

Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

May 19, 2018

The big day

Harry and Meghan get married in St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle.

Hollie Adams/Newspix/Getty Images

October 15, 2018

And baby makes three!

As the royal couple arrive in Australia for a two-week tour, Kensington Palace announces Harry and Meghan are expecting their first child together. The palace says the baby is due in the spring of 2019.